::Reading the report, I also came to the conclusion that it was bin-filler. But, most major institutions have some kind of controversy. One of the purposes, I would think, of this encyclopedia-like site is to put all of this together - both supportive of the monastery, and otherwise. Most worldly institutions are falling over themselves to present their side of the story, and while the monastery is a different kettle of fish, it does have lay supporters that can do the same thing. Athosinamerica.org is the best example I can think of offhand. -- {{User:Pistevo/sig}} 00:21, February 10, 2006 (CST)

::Reading the report, I also came to the conclusion that it was bin-filler. But, most major institutions have some kind of controversy. One of the purposes, I would think, of this encyclopedia-like site is to put all of this together - both supportive of the monastery, and otherwise. Most worldly institutions are falling over themselves to present their side of the story, and while the monastery is a different kettle of fish, it does have lay supporters that can do the same thing. Athosinamerica.org is the best example I can think of offhand. -- {{User:Pistevo/sig}} 00:21, February 10, 2006 (CST)

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:::I am, of course, unqualified to judge an elder like Fr. Ephrem, but I have heard troubling reports from time to time. The Pokrov web site appears to be trying to present both sides of the matter, but there's a great deal of emotionality from both sides. If the accusations that I have seen are true, things could be very bad--but that is if and only if such accusations are true. There is a certain rigor in Athonite monasticism--and a rather vigorous way of expressing this rigor. This could be misinterpreted.

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:::I am, of course, unqualified to judge an elder like Fr. Ephrem, but I have heard troubling reports from time to time. The Pokrov web site appears to be trying to present both sides of the matter, but there's a great deal of emotionality from both sides. If the accusations that I have seen are true, things could be very bad--but that is if and only if such accusations are true. There is a certain rigor in Athonite monasticism--and a rather vigorous way of expressing this rigor. This could be misinterpreted. Regarding the news story, one quote did strike me as an example of this culture clash: "Their brain is run by the monastery. They can't read whatever they want to read. They have to ask for permission for everything they do." From what I understand of monasticism in general, this sort of discipline is normal in both East and West for newcomers to the community. [[User:Dogface|Dogface]] 12:30, February 10, 2006 (CST)

Is this really necessary? Was this report truly an unbiased story covering an Orthodox
monastery (as the news director promised dozens of people who wrote and called the news station) or rather tabloid journalism based on complaints of a few misinformed and misguided people?

Hmm.. I wouldn't call it unbiased. There are many other sites making criticisms. It is true that one of Elder Ephrem's books mentions the Protocols, which I think is unconscionable. However, I doubt that this kind of rhetoric strongly colors the life of the monastery. Perhaps Fr. Ephrem learned this from his spiritual father, and being ignorant (in a worldly sense) repeats it. This is bad, dangerous even, but it's just one small sliver of the whole picture. It doesn't mean the monks don't pray or aren't being somehow transfigured by divine light. I think it does mean that just because someone is holy doesn't mean they're never wrong. If people are interested, we could have a brief section containing a descriptive overview of the criticisms and the response from the monasteries. God isn't afraid of truth. — FrJohn (talk)

Reading the report, I also came to the conclusion that it was bin-filler. But, most major institutions have some kind of controversy. One of the purposes, I would think, of this encyclopedia-like site is to put all of this together - both supportive of the monastery, and otherwise. Most worldly institutions are falling over themselves to present their side of the story, and while the monastery is a different kettle of fish, it does have lay supporters that can do the same thing. Athosinamerica.org is the best example I can think of offhand. -- — by Pιsτévοtalkcomplaints at 00:21, February 10, 2006 (CST)

I am, of course, unqualified to judge an elder like Fr. Ephrem, but I have heard troubling reports from time to time. The Pokrov web site appears to be trying to present both sides of the matter, but there's a great deal of emotionality from both sides. If the accusations that I have seen are true, things could be very bad--but that is if and only if such accusations are true. There is a certain rigor in Athonite monasticism--and a rather vigorous way of expressing this rigor. This could be misinterpreted. Regarding the news story, one quote did strike me as an example of this culture clash: "Their brain is run by the monastery. They can't read whatever they want to read. They have to ask for permission for everything they do." From what I understand of monasticism in general, this sort of discipline is normal in both East and West for newcomers to the community. Dogface 12:30, February 10, 2006 (CST)